FREEMASONRY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 129, 28 November 1945, Page 8

FREEMASONRY

NEW GRAND MASTER '

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION

O.C. AUCKLAND. This Day. The annual communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand, the fifty-sixth since the Order in New Zealand achieved self-government, opened in the Masonic Temple, St. Benedict Street, this morning. There was a very large attendance, the great majority of the 308 lodges of the territory being represented either by sitting Masters or their deputies.

Owing" to his impending departure from New Zealand, the Grand Master, Sir Cyril Newall, was unable to accept nomination for a further term of office, and the unanimous choice of the lodges for his successor is Mr. Ethelbert C. Smith, of Gore, Southland, who, as Pro-Grand Master, has been Sir Cyril Newall's right-hand man during the past year. Grand Lodge formally confirmed Mr. Smith's election.

The principal administrative officers of the Craft are chosen from the district in which the Grand Lodge office, under the system of two years' location in each of the four main centres in turn, is situated for the time being. During 1945 the office has been in Dunedin, and the chief executives, whose term is now extended, are Messrs. J. C. H. Somerville. Grand Treasurer: T. O'Shea, Grand Registrar: C. G. Hedge, President of the Board of General Purposes: and J. Bews, President of the Board of Benevolence.

The scheme of distribution of other elective officers for the ensuing year, which was approved by Grand Lodge, includes the following for Wellington: —Mr. I-I. I. Austad, Grand Director of Ceremonies; Mr. A. C. Blair, Senior Grand Deacon: Mr. W. W. Tully, Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies; Mr. A. E. Wells. Grand Pursuivant: Messrs. W. H. Hebden. M. R. Lawson. and M. Mac Donald, Grand Stewards; Messrs. A. Izatt and R. Dickson, members of the Board of General Purposes: and Mr. G. D. Dick, member of the Board of Benevolence.

MASONIC HOMES

Satisfactory progress was reported in the operation of the Papakura Masonic Home for Boys and the Kirkpatrick Girls' Institute at Nelson. The committee of the boys' institution said it had not considered that the urgency for a new cottage home was sufficient to warrant its erection when urgent housing requirements for the general community should have priority for materials and labour available in the near future.

Extensions to the girls' home are contemplated during 1946. It was decided that the 194G communication should be held in Christchurch.

The new Grand Master and other high officers will be installed and invested at the Town Hall this evening.

Two request programmes will be presented by Paul Schramm pianist, in Nimmo's Concert Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday next. Booking is at Beggs.